Beautiful Andalusia and the Tajo Gorge.
Ronda is located only an hour and a half from Malaga and one hour from Marbella. Our journey from Seville was a bit longer at two and a half hours but it was well worth it. The Andalusian town is as old as the Celts and has been occupied by both the Romans and the Moors.
The town is dominated by the New Bridge and the El Tajo Gorge it crosses. Taking 42 years to complete the bridge was opened in 1793 and stands 93 meters high.
Close up with the New Bridge.
Of course the bridge can be admired from the platforms on either side of it but the best way to see it in all its glory is to descend into the gorge and view it from its base. On one side, passed the La Casa del Rey Moro, you pass under King Phillip's Gate and arrive at the Old Bridge. The views from here are pretty spectacular and the walk down and back is easy as it's paved.
King Phillip's Gate with a view to the New Town.
View from the Old Bridge looking towards the Roman Bridge and Arab Baths.
We fancied a bit of a hike! Just off a leafy square there are steps descending down into the gorge. Soon though it's nothing more than a rough track and at one stage the path even cuts through the ruins of an old building! In only about 10 minutes you are nearly beneath the bridge.
Half way down the gorge. Our eventual destination is passed the top of the waterfall and under the arch. You can kind of make out the path to the right.
From here on things started to get a bit hairy for me! A set of steep rickety stairs lead to a walkway about 30 cm wide that's bordered on one side by water and on the other by a steep drop into the ravine. It was really a case of walk-fast-don't-look-down-don't breath-quick-quick-quick! To get right up to the water works and closer to the waterfall we walked with our backs against the base of the bridge and edged along a narrow path which was crumbling in places. I wish I'd taken more pictures but I was shaking like a leaf! Me and heights just don't mix! At one stage it occurred to me that at the bottom of a 93 meter gorge, next to a waterfall, is not the time to be contemplating how comprehensive your travel insurance is, would this be considered a hazardous activity?
Quite spectacular!
Not for the faint hearted!
Half way back up the trail we passed a group of Spanish students struggling to make it to the top, there were mutterings of "muerte" I didn't feel so bad, I was twice their age and I was passing them out! The best thing about being twice their age though was when I reached the summit I could make a beeline for the bar at the top trail and enjoy the most delicious and well deserved beer of my holiday!
The top of the trail is to the right. I sat and relaxed looking at this beautiful try for at least an hour while I recovered from the hike!
There are plenty of other things to enjoy in Ronda as well as the gorge, for instance, the "all you can drink wine museum". The wine is literally on tap at this place! There's a great variety of old houses and churches open to the public as well as an old watermill and the Arab baths. It's definitely a place to consider if you're on the Costa del Sol and have done as much relaxing as you can muster!
Wine on tap!
Cute little guy at the Wine Museum!
